TOKIO COUP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22356, 29 February 1936, Page 13

TOKIO COUP

I NEW CENSORSHIP |§ MILITARY DICTATOR f: BNCONFIBMED REPORT IJFEABS IN SHANGHAI A CRYPTIC MESSAGE mm ■ ■ ' gy Tekcrfph—Preßg Association—Copyright {Received February 28. 9.25 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 28 [ ■ A message from Shanghai says an unconfirmed report from Tokio sates that General Araki, formerly MinisV-,, ter of War, has established a military dictatorship. An earlier despatch from Shanghai utated that the wires from Tokio ▼ere completely silent all the moraine except for a cryptic cablegram saying: "The situation, is approximately unchanged." This suggested that the censorship, which was relaxed yesterday, had been tightened op again, raising doubts whether the rebels actually had surrendered. Japanese sources in Shanghai were also without news this morning, and feared that the situation might have become worse. V'. A message from Tokio states: "The rebels hare been given until noon to- ' €ay to surrender." || * MARTIAL LAW K STERN DECREE ISSUED V PROTECTION AGAINST REDS IPi: ' TOKIO. Feb. 27 There were conferences this morning between Japanese generals, who discussed the situation simultaneously ' -with the civilian authorities, including the remaining members of the Cabinet. The Emperor received his brother, Prince Chicibu, and also Princes Takamatsu and Nashimoto, and other H, notables. General &ashii proclaimed martial law. He explained that the reason was that it was necessary to protect the city against Beds. The proclamation uiged the people to assist in maintaining order and not to listen to rumours. The martial law decree contained most rigid censorship provisions, especially for foreign telegrams, the senders of which were warned that the messages must be "careful and accurate." Mr. Machida, Minister of Commerce, has been ordered to take the portfolio of Finance. The Tokio Stock Exchange is expected „ .to be closed until March 2. The banks, however, are open l : or business, which is proceeding as usual. At Osaka cotton dealings are quiet. The staff of the Ministry of the Interior has returned to work. MAD PATRIOTISM OBJECTS OF ASSASSINS LONDON PRESS COMMENT LONDON. Feb. 27 The Tokio assassinations have roused horror and execration throughout the > > world. The Manchester Guardian states that the extremists in the Japanese Army are consumed by the white heat of nationalism, compared with which German Nazi-ism is a candle flame. Their ardour, too, is fanned equally by the successes 'in Manchukuo and reverses such as the London and Washington agreements,. "As long as this mad patriotism inspires Japan," continues the Guardian, "we must expect pathological politics at home and ruthless Imperialism abroad. The object of the assassins' enmity appears to have been not politicians and rich financiers, but the small group of 'elder statesmen' who were Japan's last defence against a military dictatorship. "The militarists are first and foremost devoted to Japanese Imperialism and want to dominate Asia and the Far East, abolish Parliament, restrict the influence of the Imperial Court and establish an Army controlled by Fascism." The Times says the real issue is whether Japan shall be controlled by irresponsible officers whose narrow, arrogant Chauvinism refuses to allow anything to stand in the way of Japan's mission to dominate the Far East. FEARS OF SEQUEL CONFLICT WITH RUSSIA ' | MANCHUKUO WARNED PARIS. Feb. 27 The French press, expressing detestation of the murders in Tokio, emphasises the gravity of possible world complications. It says it considers that if the extremists triumph, an immediate attack on the Soviet would be unavoidable. 0,1 Le Matin says it understands that Russia is prepared for any eventuality. The Soviet Consul-Genera 1 at Harbin has warned the Japanese forces in Manchukuo that if they cross the Russian Harder they will learn that the Russian Army is a different proposition to that of the Chinese. The Manchukuan Foreign Office has retorted that it will not tolerate Soviet threats. MOSCOW OPINION JAPAN UNABLE 70 FIGHT LONDON, Feb. 27 A message from Moscow states that M. Radek, writing in the Soviet organ lzyestia, says Japan is not able to wage jB serious war without substantial foreign loans. He expresses the opinion that world capitalists will think a hundred times before lending to a Government which may, like its predeces- . sors, hie branded as traitors and fall victim to Army officers' pistols. A despatch from Home states that II Popolo di Roma says it considers that Japan js moving toward a war with the Soviet, and possibly against ether Powers.